"Oh, they are, eh? Well, p'rhaps it'll be a good while before they finish up the job they've got on hand, so I guess they won't hurt theirselves workin' this season. What do you think about it, Teddy?"
The young gentleman from Saranac made no reply, but folded the paper carefully and put it in his pocket, as if for future reference.
"What're you goin' to do 'bout it?" Teenie asked, so earnestly that Carrots looked at him suspiciously.
"Do 'bout it?" the latter replied. "Why, let him go ahead. What else can we do? I've seen a good many better-lookin' pictures than he made there, an' if that's all he does he won't hurt anybody."
"But see here, Carrots: Skip says you'll have to leave this town if you stand in with Teddy, an' he's goin' to make it awful hot."
"Well, I s'pose if he can do that he will; so what's the use talkin' 'bout it? We can't help anything, as I see."
Teenie understood that his friend was not absolutely satisfied regarding his connection with the matter, and therefore refused to make any explanation as to what his future course might be. This lack of confidence troubled the messenger; for Carrots was a particular friend of his, and he did not wish anything to impair the kindly feeling existing between them.
So he was glad when Carrots said:
"I ain't blamin' you, Teenie; but I can tell you one thing sure: what ain't known can't be told. If Skip Jellison should 'low he was jest about goin' to thump the life out er you if you didn't repeat everything I said, why, you might have to give up. So I don't think it's best for us to have any talk. Of course I'm sure you won't tell where I'm livin'."
"I wouldn't say a word 'bout that, Carrots, an' you know it."